On March 1st 2012 Alfriston School successfully transitioned to Academy Status. There was no fanfare nor any discernible difference as we opened our doors on Thursday morning but we determined to mark the occasion in style. Mr Clawson, the school’s chef, had baked a cake bearing the school crest and the all important addition of academy to our name. The Governors joined staff in the staff room and those who had worked to bring about the change in status were duly congratulated and thanked. Mrs Male told the press, “We are delighted to become the first special school academy in Buckinghamshire and we hope that many more will join us.”

Meanwhile each pupil had been given a cupcake so that they too were part of the celebration. After the governors had had their photograph taken with the pupils, a small group then met with pupils studying for BTEC to record interviews about the new status and what it would actually mean to the school, notably that it would receive funding straight from the government and set its own admissions criteria.